Directions: From Raleigh take Hwy. 64
West towards Pittsboro. Follow signs to Jordan Lake. When you get to
the Wilsonville area (stop light with stores on your left and right)
take a left on Beaver Creek Road. Go a couple miles until you come to
the Ebenezer Park entrance (on your right). Take the road to the last
parking lot beside Shelter 1 and you will be at the point where
everyone sails from. There is a park entrance fee of $6 from Memorial
Day through Labor Day.

Sailing: Ebenezer Point has nice grass
rigging areas and facilities. This is the best location for sailing in
the Triangle and on windy days you can find 10 - 20 fellow sailors to
shred with. The best wind directions for Ebenezer are SW, N, NW, S, and
NE, but about any wind direction can be sailed here. If it blows hard
enough, Jordan can build some nice swells for jumping! If the wind is
from the W it can be very gusty (like lake sailing wasn''t gusty
anyway!). If the wind is West, it may be better to head to Lake
Crabtree. If it is East, you want to go to Vista Point on Lake Jordan.
During the summer, be aware of other watercraft around you. There can
be quite a few boats and jetskis on the water.

Jordan
Lake, Farrington Point:

Directions:
From Raleigh drive west on Hwy 64. At Wilsonville turn right onto
Farrington Road. Go past Crosswinds Marina and drive approx. 5 miles
north, to Farrington Point. Take the first left turn after passing over
the causeway, then the next left, leading to the launch area. In spring
and fall there is no problem parking. Farrington Point is about 25
minutes from Durham.

Sailing:
Level of difficulty is 2-5. It is best on a SW, and OK on a S and SE.
Grassy rigging area behind roped-off area. A small beach area can be
used for launching. There is a concrete boat launch that can also be
used. The water is uniformly over your head about 15 feet from shore.
There is almost no danger of running aground.

No restrooms (woods!) or other facilities; no fees. This site is used
mainly by fishermen. Jetskis tend to stay in one corner near
the causeway, however jetskis can be a real turnoff here. Once recent
Sunday they had buoys out and 6 or 7 were racing at the same time.
Imagine six 2-cycle leaf blowers going at full blast in your yard.
For a challenge you can sail underneath the causeway. Try to avoid
contact with the concrete pillars.

If you sail south for a bit from this launch site you''ll pass a quiet
sandy beach to the west and a submerged forrest. There is a point on
the south side where the wind funnels around. You can have some good
runs there on water that is almost perfectly flat. You can land on the
south side as well. Cars on the causeway will enjoy watching you at
Farrington Point.

Hazards: Wind can get squirrely close to
the causeway. There may be a few remaining stumps east of the boat ramp
and near the point on the south side..

Other: In the late 1980s and early 1990s
there were quite a few windsurfers at this spot. The beach was much
bigger then. From Chapel Hill you can get to Farrington in about 20
minutes for an extended lunch-break session.
Jordan Lake,
Martha's Chapel Road
The eastern side of Farrington Point looks like it would be excellent
on a NE because it has a very large fetch. However, when the lake level
is low an ''island'' becomes exposed, where the old road was, and you
can stand on it. You might see the foundation of a house that was
leveled. Use extreme caution in this area due to these hazards.
Not many people sail here but this is the one of the only spots
available during hurricanes when the state park areas such as Ebenezer
Point and Vista Point are closed and the wind is from NW to NE. There
are two ways to get to the water. There is a small parking area and
path down the steep cliff about 400 feet from Farrington Road on the
north side of Martha''s Chapel Road. You can also launch from the bird
viewing area about one quarter mile east of the cliff parking area on
the north side of Martha''s Chapel Road. This will put you further
north past the first point on the east side. There is a gravel parking
area and you will need to walk about 150 yards down a gently sloping
hill. No cliff here so the north wind will be more consistent here on
your way out than at the cliff area. Again, use caution because there
are sandbars and stumps in these areas.

Lake
Crabtree:

Directions: Take I-40, West from Raleigh or East from
the Durham/Chapel Hill area. Exit off Aviation Parkway, exit 285 and
follow signs to Lake Crabtree County Park (a mile or less from the
exit).

Wilmington, NC Area

Fort
Fisher Basin:

Directions:
Take I-40 into Wilmington and continue straight and follow the signs
towards Carolina/Kure Beaches. (I-40 will merge with Hwy. 132 and then
with Hwy 421, its a straight shot!). Fort Fisher is about 17 miles
south of Wilmington. Once in Ft. Fisher, continue straight towards and
then past the Ferry Station.Sailing:
The Basin is mainly a slalom spot and is great for all levels of
sailors. Water conditions are flat with only 1'' - 2'' chop, depending
on the wind. The favored wind direction is SW, but it is also sailable
in S, SE, W, NW, and NE (gusty). During the summer there is good SW
thermal action. At the launch area, there are oyster shells so wearing
foot protection is a good idea. The bottom of the Basin is mainly a
mushy silt (gunk), but it is mainly sand bar along the edges except on
the west side where the rock jetty is located. Water depth is overhead
in the middle, but mainly chest to knee deep in other areas.

Corncake Inlet (4x4
required):

Directions:
Follow the directions to Ft. Fisher above. When you get into Ft.
Fisher, take a left towards the Public Beach Access (towards the
Aquarium). Take a left on the dirt road beside the parking lot and
continue straight for a couple of miles then look for a spot where
there is a good break and no fishermen. The actual inlet filled in
years ago.Sailing:
Corncake Inlet is an ocean sailing spot, with small to medium size
waves. It is mainly sailed in S to SW winds. SW is slightly sideoff
here, which makes this a good spot. You can pull out onto the beach at
any of the crossovers on the way out, and find spots to sail in these
wind directions, so anyplace is sailable, but the cleanest wind is
usually at the very end towards the inlet.

The Rocks/Public Beach
Access:

Directions:
Follow the directions to Ft. Fisher above. When you get into Ft. Fisher
you''ll see the rock seawall and public beach access area to your left.Sailing:
This is an ocean sailing spot, with small to medium size waves. This
area can be sailed in S, SW winds, and NE winds. Sometimes the wind
isn''t as clean as Corncake, but you don''t need to have a 4x4 for
access!

The North End (4x4
required):

Directions:
Once in Wilmington, head towards Carolina/Kure Beaches. Cross over
Snows Cut bridge and into Carolina Beach. Take a left at the Citgo gas
station (I''ll get the name of the road later!) and go past the marina
on your left. Take a left at the stop sign and continue straight, until
you come to the end of the road. Continue onto the beach and drive to
the end until you spot the inlet.Sailing:
This is where everyone heads for wave sailing in a N and NE winds. A
very good spot, especially in a strong NE wind, where it can build head
to logo high waves. In these conditions the shorebreak can be tough, so
be prepared!

The Jetties:

Directions:
Head into Wrightsville Beach and hang a right once you cross over the
2nd bridge. Continue going towards the end of the island until you end
up in the public beach access parking lot (metered parking).Sailing:
This is another ocean sailing spot. The jetties here can create some
decent waves, but watch out for the surfers. Wind directions are S, SW,
N, and NE.

Cape Hatteras, NC Area

WindVisions
has a great Guide to Hatteras Launches.
This is the preimer Outer Banks site guide!At
the request of our members we have written a couple of the sites up,
for additional info.

Canadian Hole (aka Haulover Day Use Area) -
World famous launch on Pamlico Sound just south of Avon, NC. Paved
parking lot, restrooms, showers and changing booths. If you have four
wheel drive (and an ORV permit) you can also park on the beach right
beside the water. Fantastic spot when the SW winds are blowing. Sunsets
are fabulous.

Salvo
Day Use Area:Directions: Travelling
south on NC-12 from Salvo, SDUA is on the right just after leaving
town.
Sailing: This is (in my opinion) the easiest place in
the world to windsurf. It''s great for beginners, also great for doing
speed runs or practicing jibes. There''s a big grassy rigging area -
but look out for sand spurs and cactus. There''s also a bathroom,
changing rooms, and outdoor showers. There''s a sandy beach. The water
is waist to chest deep for a long ways out. This spot is best in a SW
wind. The water is very flat, even when the wind is howling. Windmap
Entry for Salvo Day Use Area

The
Boiler:

Directions:
Off Hwy 12 on the Pea Island Nat''l Seashore. (I''ll get the mile
marker later, it''s just before the rest area). Paved parking lot
Oceanside. You''ll know you''re there when you walk over the dune and
see the Boiler sticking out of the water.Sailing:
This is an ocean launch that offers side-off wave sailing in a NW wind.
NE and SE wind directions will also work (side to side-on).

Morrison
Grove:

Directions:
Travelling on 64, cross the Croatan Sound on the William B Umstead
Memorial Bridge. 1.5 miles beyond the bridge take a LEFT on Morrison
Grove (there''s a brick sign marking it).Sailing:
Sailing: Grassy rigging, waist deep water, no weeds. See more below.The paragraph below was taken
from SHREDDER Outer Banks Guide ''95in a section called
"Shredding the Northern Outer Banks" byBrett Landry and
Bill Bell"One
of the few northeast onshore soundside launches, Morrison Grove offers
radical bump and jump conditions on strong northeasts. Spring and fall
are the seasons for Morrison Grove and the site can really go off.
However, it is a private launch and access is limited. Yet there is
lodging available at the Boothe House right at the launch site. Rates
run $25.00 per room during the spring season (March to June) and $35.00
per room during the summer (July and August). During the fall season,
the place is usually closed to guests; however, reservations can be
made for specific times.For more
information on Boothe House call (919)473-3696. Morrison Grove is
located at the northern end of Roanoke Island near the Lost Colony and
Elizabethan Gardens."Next comments by TBC member
Tony Gaunce:"When the water blows out of
the sound at KHS in a Northeast wind this place is the call. I also saw
guys launching that day off the west end of the William B Umstead
Memorial Bridge ... even larger fetch.As I was rigging, I noticed
an older gentleman drive by to dump some garbage, looking at me. I
walked over and asked if he minded me sailing there to which he replied
"Not at all, but don''t drive down on the grass and get stuck. Some
guys have done this before" and also offered up the accomodations if
needed for $35 per night. This is a great place to sail, although you
may end up sailing alone, but should be respected as it is private
access and we would not want to make enemies of the owners."

Directions:
Take Hwy. 70 through Morehead City and across the bridge towards
Beaufort. Once over the bridge, take the first right and go behind the
boat storage building and turn left across the railroad tracks.Sailing:Radio
Island is a high intermediate to expert site which is best
sailed in south or southwest winds. It offers a wide variety of sailing
and when its good it will provide you with some of the most memorable
days you''ll ever have. When its bad, you will also have memories (the
kind you want to repress). Timing is important here - the currents add
to the apparent wind when the tide is going out, and reduce apparent
wind when the tides are incoming. Therefore, this launch is usually
sailed on an outgoing tide, which means that if you breakdown in the
inlet (or if the wind dies), you''re going out to sea. The sailing
conditions include flat water, big rollers, backside wavesailing on
sand bar breaks, down the line wave sailing at Fort Macon, and jumping
at Shackleford banks. Beware of the boat traffic, the sand bars at low
tide, and learn how the currents work. DO NOT sail beaufort inlet
without a buddy, and make sure you are initiated by a Radio Island
veteran.

Harkers
Island:

Directions:
Take Hwy. 101 S. from Havelock and follow signs to Cape Lookout
National Seashore or Harkers Island. When the road dead ends at the
eastern most point of Harkers Island (aka Shell Point), you''re there!Sailing:Harkers
Island gets the strongest and most consistent northeast wind
of any launch in the Emerald Isle/Morehead area. It is almost
guaranteed whenever a high pressure is centered over New York or
Pennsylvania. It is also a good place to sail in a SW, but most people
prefer Radio Island. This is a high intermediate to expert sailing area
due to strong currents at the launch site and the intensity of the
shorebreak. There is good chop hopping in the channel just off the
launch, and great flat water sailing in Mike''s Hole to the lee of the
grass islands (so named because a guy named Mike learned to duck jibe
there). Wavesailing can be had by sailing 2 miles across the sound, up
Iron Creak (a long drag at low tide), and then doing a 200 yard portage
over Core Banks to the ocean. The waves here in a NE may be the biggest
along the outerbanks due to the long fetch from Diamond Shoals;
likewise for the shorebreak. Also, by the second day of a big
nor''easter, the current runs a long the beach at a blistering pace.
This spot was pioneered by Don Ketterrer and Bill Hanner, both of whom
will tell you that if you can sail the ocean off Harker''s, you can
sail anywhere. If you break a mast on Core Banks . . . well, you figure
it out. DO NOT learn to wavesail here. Advice:
Check tides before you go. They can make a big difference in the sound
sailing, especially on marginal wind days. Outgoing tide opposes a SW
wind making it easy to stay upwind and increases apparent wind.
Incoming tide goes with a SW wind making it hard to stay upwind and
requiring a larger sail. The opposite tide directions apply for a NE
wind. At low tide, especially on a SW wind, the flats are not usually
sailable and there are sandbar hazards near the islands. In a strong NE
water from the sound tends to flood in the area and the flats will have
more water and chop will be bigger. In fall NE wind this place can
really go off so bring small stuff and donā€™t sail there alone. There
is a wind shadow at the launch site if the wind is more N than NE,
which can make returning to the launch difficult because of the
current. Parking and launching: On a SW
wind you can park in the parking lot on the south shore with the picnic
shelters and rig in the grass. To launch either walk to the west end of
the rock breakwall or go through the opening directly in front of the
picnic shelter. The opening is narrow and has unseen rocks on the
bottom so be cautious and wear booties. On a NE wind you can launch
from the north side of the National Seashore Visitor Center. Drive back
into the employee parking lot and rig on the grass by the picnic tables
(let Visitor Center staff know when you are sailing so they will not
lock you in). The Launch is directly behind the parking lot, a series
of cement steps over the rock breakwall. This launch is narrow and can
be slipperly, but getting in is pretty easy. Getting out you need to
take board and sail separately. The water here is shallow and there is
an anchor with bouy to tie up your board when taking your sail out.
Facilities: Bathrooms and drinking
fountains in the National Seashore Visitor Center.

North River:

Directions:
On the way to Harkers Island, launch on the south side of Hwy. 70 on
the west side of the causeway.Sailing:North
River is best sailed in a southerly wind and is a great place
to learn how to jibe - mostly because you have to jibe alot. When the
wind is southerly, it is also generally stronger here than at the flat
water sites on Emerald Isle because of its exposure and the fact that
it is a little further inland. On those days when the wind is due south
and Emerald Isle is shallow and squirrely, this is the place to go.

The Circle:

Directions:
Take Hwy. 70 to Morehead City and turn right over the bridge to
Atlantic Beach. Go straight until you hit the ocean and park near the
Jolly Knave.Sailing:The
Circle is an ocean launch best sailed in E, any southerly
wind, and W. You''ll find ocean swell and waves here. Watch out for the
surfers and the fishermen and get there early in the summer to get a
parking spot.

Cedar Island, NC:

Directions:
Take Hwy. 70 to Hwy 12 untill you get to the ferry toll booth area. To
get to the launch look for a dirt road with a "camping area" sign just
to the right as you enter the ferry toll booth area. Take the dirt road
and bear left. Follow it along the Ferry area fence until you come to a
gravel/sand parking area boat launch. Launch is just to the right on
the beach through the gate in the fence. There is also a motel for
anyone who wants to make an overnight trip in style, a restraunt, and
gift shop and restrooms at the Ferry.Sailing: If
you want some of the finest NW wind sailing in the state of North
Carolina, go to Cedar Island!! Its a long drive, about 50 minutes from
Beaufort/Morehead City area, but if a good NW is blowing you will be
rewarded with some fantastic "inland ocean" type conditions. The launch
is immediately to the right of the Cedar Island / Ocracoke Ferry jetty.
A NW wind provides a side on wind from the left and the Jetty smooths
out the waves and chop to allow easy launching off a sandy beach. Once
up and sailing you will find the waves progressively increase in size
and you''ll get the full force of the wind outside the Jetty. Unlike
other NW sites, the long fetch across the wide Pamlico sound allows the
waves to build up into a more open ocean like state and not the
generally short choppy conditions characteristic of other NW shallow
water inland sites. A 25-30K NW will yield good size 6'' -8'' swells on
the outside and rideable surf on the inside. The beach extends several
miles down to the east so if you get blown downwind you can beach and
walk back up.

Sailing:
On Emerald Isle, right at
mile marker 15 is a public bath house ocean side with a big parking
lot, toilets, and showers (probably cold). Park Street has public sound
access on the other side of Emerald Dr for beginners to advanced - wind
dependent. Seems like E, N, W wind would be great, but I''ve been told
S creates a wind shadow. The road has been paved almost up to the
waterfront, sod has been laid from the road to the seawall, and a new
seawall has been built. You can drive close to the end, unload your
gear on the grassy side of the road, then park back at the bath house a
couple hundred yards away. While the sod is still rooting, please
choose to rig further back on the grassy side of the road which has
better wind protection anyway. You can walk your gear over the sod and
carefully climb down the seawall to set the gear in the sand. Be nice
to the neighbors and respect the property lines (which aren'' t really
obvious). You can walk your board out past the end of the piers to
launch in knee deep water. Wear booties for clamshell protection. The
sound here is mostly never more than neck deep (could depend on
tides?), and I detected no noticable current. The huge transformer
station makes a great landmark. Be aware of the white and red tipped
marker posts in the sound when sailing fast. Others have warned of clam
beds beneath the surface too. Start off slow and define some good
boundaries, then crank it up!

15th Street:

Directions:
A 15th street.Sailing:15th
Street. East, any Northerly, and West wind directions are
best. This side offers flat water and chop on the north side of Bogue
Sound.

3rd Street:

Directions:
Park at the Sheraton.Sailing:3rd
Street is an ocean launch that is best sailed in W, SE, SE
and E winds. At the time of this writing, it had a great break, but
these things continuously change. 3rd Street is a little better than
the Circle in Morehead City in a S/SW wind because the wind is less
onshore. Be careful of the surfers and surf casters!

Rolling View State
Park

Rolling View is state-operated park on
Falls Lake ($6 entrance fee). It is located about 5 miles north of Hwy
98. Take Baptist Road north if your coming from the west and Southview
Road North if you are coming from the east. There are two launch sites
on a peninsula. Both are "improved"-- beaches, bath houses, shelters,
picnic tables, outdoor showers (in warm weather). Wind direction
determines which side of the peninsula you should use. Go to the
western side of the peninsula if the wind is southwest, west or
northwest. Go to the eastern side if there is any east in the wind. If
the wind is SW, you can get out fine on the west side. The strongest
winds will be about 150 yards out if it''s SW.

Both launches have excellent grassy rigging areas and ample parking. On
the eastern side there is a boat beach (no swimming), which may be
lined with boats in warm weather. Access to the water is very easy,
particularly on the eastern side. On a recent July Saturday there was a
medium sized crowd, 3 boats and 3 jet skis anchored, but still enough
room to do some light wind sailing. They were letting some kids swim.
On a recent July Thursday, the place was almost empty. Sunday afternoon
in late August, there were only a few families there and no boats or
jet skis.

On the western side of the peninsula is the swim beach. To the right of
the swim beach the water is shallow for a long way out. Walk very
carefully as they left a lot of stumps in the water. A little further
to the right of the swim beach, there is a grassy path for windsurfers.
Mark has cleared some of the stumps from the water there.

We had our annual picnic at Shelter 12 on the western side. Even though
the eastern side is usually better for east winds, the north side of
the Shelter 12 point worked well for the N/NE winds that day.

Conditions are good, but not quite as good as at Ebenezer Point. The
fetch is not quite as long as at Ebenezer. There are fewer power boats
on Falls Lake in summer than on Jordan Lake, so Falls is a good
warm-weather alternative. The biggest disadvantage to Rolling View is
that most of your windsurfing buddies won''t be there. You might meet
some long-time sailors who don''t go to Ebenezer, however. Be careful
not to sail into one of the coves there because you might not get
enough wind to sail out. In short, Rolling View is an interesting
alternative to Ebenezer, particularly if 1) you just want variety in
your sailing or 2) you want to avoid the powerboat traffic at Ebenezer.

Sandling Beach State Recreation Area

Directions: From Raleigh, take Hwy. 50
towards Creedmoor. The entrance to Sandling Beach is on the left, 4
miles north of Hwy. 98. There is a park entrance fee of $6 from
Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Sailing: The boat
beach faces SW. The best wind directions are S, SW, N, W, and SE. This
place is an undiscovered gem nowadays due to park improvements. Shelter
5, north of the swim beach, allows you to park 25 yards from the boat
beach where you can launch easily. If you live closer to Falls Lake or
want to avoid summer traffic at Jordan, this is the place on a S or SW.
Shelter 5 has restroom facilities if you need that sort of thing.

Topsail

Topsail is a pretty quiet
place, and a great place to kick back if you and your family all enjoy
hanging out on the beach. There''s a kayak center just north of the
bridge where you can rent a sit-on-top which is a blast in the waves,
or rent sea kayaks which are nice to paddle around in the sound with,
see egret nests and other water birds, big fun and something the whole
family might enjoy. (Morning is best, to beat the heat and see more
biology. But you have to plan the tides.)

When the shore break isn''t too high, sea kayaks can be great fun in
shore surf. I first saw this on PBS, some guys sea kayaking in shore
surf in Scotland or Wales. The old local guy showed the young PBS guy
how it''s done: you put the kayak parallel to the waves (sideways, not
like surfing), and high-brace on the wave. And go like hell!

Turns out it''s really easy to do. When you put the end of that paddle
on top of the wave, the water is rushing under it so fast, it''s like
putting it on a rock. You lean well into the wave and brace. As the
wave peters out, you eventually slip over the top of it -- after which
the water no longer acts like a rock, so the first time you''re buns
up, practicing your eskimo roll. Wink

With shore break of 3'' waves, it''s easy and anyone with the temerity
to windsurf should have no trouble. (Assuming you''re comfortable
strapped into a vehicle upside down in the water for a moment or two --
some folks just don''t like that, silly as it sounds!) At 4'', I find
it a bit dicey, but I''m more timid than the average wave sailor. At
5'' I think you''d get a serious pounding and risk breaking your neck
(wave sailor heaven).

There''s a pier that''s (IIRC) $1 to go out on, and worth a buck even
if you just stroll out & back. A different crowd there day
versus night, kinda fun just for people watching. That''s in Topsail
Beach. (There are probably others too.)

Kids, as well as older kids like my wife and me, enjoy finding sharks''
teeth in the sand.

If your main objective is windsurfing, there are much better places to
go. If you want a fun but relatively quiet family vacation where you
can steal away a couple times and get a good sail in, it should be
perfect. If you hope to keep your board on the beach and jump in any
moment ... I don''t think so. Not unless you''re a lot hardier than I
am, anyway.

Beach

Sailing: Shore break can be
challenging..

North end

Sailing: You can drive up
pretty close to the water to put in if your vehicle is good in soft
sand. 2WD park in the little lot and lug my gear. It''s not too far,
maybe 100 yards.

South end

Sailing: Drive to the sound
side to the south to the little lot. Stop in the no-parking spot to
unload and then move to park, and then lug the gear quite a few hundred
yards up the soundside beach along the channel to where you can put in.
The lower the tide is, the farther up the beach you have to go. The
island is at a 45 degree angle from NW to SE, and the wind comes in
pretty much due East or ESE. As you approach the south end of the
island, it''s very flat and you can get nice laminar wind with very
flat water, fun for speed. As you approach the inlet it gets bumpier,
but probably not choppy enough for good bump & jump, more just
freestyle sailing. Wind is usually pretty dependable, 15-20 mph onshore
thermal.

You have to watch the tides and water depth carefully to avoid breaking
a fin. In most cases you can pretty easily see the shoals and avoid
them, and there are some channel markers to help. Be extra careful on
an ebb tide of course. The water flows out quite fast through the inlet.